Motor vehicle



E. G. GUNN.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLlcArloN FILED oc.1,1919.

Patented Oct. 3, 1922.;

SLMQ.,

Patented @cip 12193222.,

NETE@ EARL Gr. GUNN, 0F DETRUXT, MJICHGAN, ASSIG-NDB, T0 .PACKARD MOTOR CAR COM- PANY, 01E DETROIT,

MTOR VEHICLE.

Application tiled october 1, 1919. seria] No. 327,672.

Be it known that I, EARL Gr. Grunn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Detroit, Wayne County, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful llmprovements in Motor Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

rThis invention relates to motor vehicles and more particularly to closures for the errposed joints of motor vehicles, such as the joints of the steering mechanism.

The exposed joints between the movable elements of a motor vehicle such as the universal or ball and socket joints of the steering mechanism soon become iilled with dust and dirt during the operation oi the vehicle and thereby become gritty, stiE and practically inoperative,

With this problem in mind, the present invention has for its object to provide an ecient closure for the exposed joints of motor vehicles and machines of like character and a closure that will not in any way interfere with the elicient operation of `the joint and which may be easily and quickly attached to and detached from the joint.

A further object is to provide a flexible closure and means for securely retaining the closure in place.

Still further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

rlFhe above objectsare attained by the construction shown in the drawing; this construction bein illustrated in connection with the ball and socket joint ot the steering ymechanism and embodying means for securing a Horrible closure to one member ot the joint and a clip for securing the closure to the other member of the in the embodiment illustrated, being shown as resilient and surroundingthe first member of the join Certain specic embodiments oit' the invention 4have been illustrated in the drawing, and in the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly broken away and illustrating my improved closure in section,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional construction shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified form of the construction, and

lFig. 41 is an end elevation of the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2.

lin illustrating my invention, ll have shown view oit the joint, this clip,

the improved closure in connection with a universal joint between the steering cross tube of a motor vehicle and the steering; knuckle lever, the cross tube being illustrated at 10 and being provided at its end with a tubular casing 11, having a pair of spherical bearing members 12 and 13 secured therein in any suitable manner.

An opening la is formed in what may be termed the upper surface of the casing l1 and this opening receives a ball joint member 15, havinga tapered shank portion 16 formed on one end and a ball 17 the other end, the ball 17 being adapted to be received between the spherical bearing members 12 and 13. rJ'Lhe tapered shank 16 of the ball joint member has secured thereto a tapered head 18 of the steering knuckle arm 19, a nut 20, having a screw threaded connection with the upper end of the shank 16, securely retaining the head 13 on the shank 16.

The means for closing the opening lt in the casing 11 comprises a closure member 21, which preferably formed of leather or other suitable Flexible material and means for securing the member 21 to the shank portion ci the ball joint member and to the tubular casing 11 oi the cross tube 10.

ln the embodiment of the invention illus trated in Figures 1 and 2, a ferrule 22 is secured to the closure 21, this errule being provided with an annular channel adapted to receive the'member 21, this latter being secured in the channel manner. rl`he ferrule 22 is the tapered shank portion 16 of the ball joint member and this ierrule is made of such dimensions that it will fit tightly over the lower portion of the tapered shank 16 and be securely held thereon as the head 18 is secured to the shank portion by means of the nut 20.

The means for securing the closure 21 to the casing 11 comprises a clip 23 preterably made oi" resilient material and being formed in the general shape of a saddle. r1`he saddle clip 23 is adapted tot over the casing 11 and to surround the shank 18 and means is provided for securingr this clip to the casing, this securing means comprising a bolt 241 which engages oppositely disposed downwardly extending' portions or ears 25 formed on the clip. The apertures in these downwardly extended portions are so posiin any suitable posltioned over formed on member j,

lll)

tioned that the bolt ze which passes through the aperture will engage the lower surface of the casing 11 thereby securing the clip against vertical displacement.

, In Fig. 3 I h ave illustrated a modified form of the invention, the only difference between this construction and that shown in Figure l residing in the means for securing the closure to the shank portion 16. The shank 16 in Figure 3 is provided with an annular groove 26 adjacent its lower end and the closure is ysecured in this groove by means of a split ring 27 formed of resilient material.

The construction of the clip for securing the closure', shown in Fig. 3, to ythe casing 1l is exactly similar to that above =`described'.

From the above description it will .be seen that simple and eicient means has been provided for closing the joint between the movable elements such as the cross tube and steering knuckle lever of a motor vehicle steering mechanism, this closure being securely retained on the cooperating elements.

Attention is.called to the fact that this type of closure may be easily and quickly attached to the cooperating elements, it being merel necessary in the construction shown in igure l to placethe ferrule 22 over the shank 16 and to placeA the clip 23 overthe outer portion-of the-closure, whereupon this clip may besecu're'd in place by means of` a single retainingbolt 24e.

While I have inthe abo-'ve'specification described certain embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is capable of further modification and that modifications and changes may be Vmade -in the construction and arrangement of the cooper atingparts without departing from the spirit `and scope ofthe invention, as expressed in thefollowing claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by ters Patent is:

1. A shield for preventing the entrance of dust and .grit into the joint between two metallic members the first of which has an end pivotally retained within a socket formed in the second, comprising closure sheet of flexible material having an perture to receive the first mentioned member, and means for securing the closure to the second member with dust tight fit along a line completely encirclin the first member,-the closure having s u cient material loosely arranged between the aperture and the .line of contact with the second member to ,accommodate itself without stretching to all movements of the first member relatively to the seco'nd. i

2. A shield for preventing the entrance of dust and grit into the joint between two metallic members the first of which has an end pivotally retained within a socl t formed in the second, comprising a closu e Letsheet of flexible material having an aperture t0 receive the first mentioned member, means associated with the margin of said aperture for preventing the passage of dust between the closure and said first member, and means for securing the closure to the second member with dust tight fit along a line completely encircling the first member, the sheet having suflicient material loosely arranged between the aperture and the line of contact with the second member to accommodate litself without stretching to the movements of the first member relatively to the second.

3. Ashield for preventing the entrance of dust and grit into the joint between two metallic members the first of which has an end pivotally j retained within a socket formed in the second, comprising a closme sheet of flexible material having an aperture to receive the first mentioned member, an annular member" associated with the margin of said aperturev -for-preventing the passage of dust between the closure sheet and said first member, a11d"means"for securing the closure to the second member with dust tight fit along a line completely encircling the first member, the closure sheet having sufficient material loosely arranged between the aperture and the line of contact with the second member t0 accommodate itself without stretching to the movements of the first member relatively to the second.

4. The combination with two metallic members the first of which has an end ivotally' retained within a socket formed 1n the second, of a device .for preventing the entrance of dust and grit into thejoint between said members comprising, a closure sheet of flexible material having an aperture to receive the first mentioned member, and a saddle-shaped clip for securing the closure to the second member, with dust tight fit, along a yline completely encirclin first member, the closure having su cient material loosely arranged between the aperture and the line of contact with the second member to accommodate itself without stretching to all movements of the first member relatively to the second. j

5. The combination with two metallic members the first of which has an end ivotally retained within a socket formed 1n the second, of a device for preventing the entrance of dust and grit into the joint between said members comprising a closure sheet of flexible material having an aperture to receive the first mentioned member, an annular saddle shaped clip for securing the closure to the second member with dust tight fit, along a line4 completely encircling the first member, anda single bolt engaging spaced portions of the clip and engaging said second member, ,for-securing said clip rigidly in position, the closure having suffithe I cient materialV loosely arranged between the aperture and the line of contact with the second member-'to accommodate itself Without stretching to all movements of the rst member relatively to the second.

6. In combination, a member having an opening therein, second member jointed to said rst named member and having a tapered shank portion extending through said on said tapered shank opening, a closure for said opening and a l0 ferrule secured to said closure and positioned portion for securing said closure to said shank portion and means for securing said closure to said first named member.

In testimony whereof I aIiX my signature.

EARL G. GUNN. 

